Partition structure



March 5,1968 R. N. ANDERSON 3,371,454

PARTITION STRUCTURE Filed Oct. 24, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ee so 72 82 8822 74 42 e4 78 so it A v 34 40 3e 4s v 43 94 92 INVENTOR.

RICHARD N. ANDERSON 90 9e 24 9| BY W ATT March 5, 1968 R. N. ANDERSON3,371,454

PARTITION STRUCTURE Filed Oct. 24, 1965 2 Sheets-$heet 2 "JNVENTOR.RICHARD N. ANDERSON ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,371,454 PARTITIQNSTRUCTURE Richard N. Anderson, Rome, Ga, assignor to V. E.

Anderson Mfg. Co., Owensboro, Ky, a corporation of Kentucky Filed Get.24, 1965, Ser. No. 504,537 12 Claims. (Cl. 52-422) ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE Partition structure capable of non-destructive erectionincluding vertically extending posts and horizontally extending membershaving a cross section including an H- shaped central part, diagonalparts extending at forty-five degrees from the ends of the parallelportions of the H- shaped part and V-shaped parts secured at their apexto the free ends of the diagonal parts opening inwardly toward thecenter of the H-shaped part to define a square, a glazing channel forsecuring panels of different Widths within the space between adjacentV-shaped parts of the cross section of the vertical posts and horizontalmembers, joint brackets for securing the vertical posts and horizontalmembers together at any location therealong at right angles to eachother having a generally U-shap'ed elevation with diverging leg portionsand a bifurcated closed end, a V-shaped recess in the other end thereofforming leg portions terminating in oppositely outwardly extendingflange portions and means for varying the height of the verticallyextending posts each including an adjusting block secured within theI-I-shaped central part of a post at the bottom thereof, a nut rigidlyreceived in the adjusting block and a bolt extending through the nutfrom the bottom thereof.

Prior available interior partition structure has usually beencomplicated and often aesthetically displeasing. Partition structuremade with metal extrusions has required a great many separate shapes andhas often presented a cluttered appearance. In addition interiorpartition structure of the past has usually been erected so that ondismantling considerable scrap has been produced. Also, the requisiteversatility, including means for placing electrical outlets where theyare desired, has often been lacking in prior partition structure.

It is therefore one of the purposes of the present invention to provideimproved partition structure which is capable of non-destructiveerection.

Another object is to provide interior partition structure which may beconstructed using a minimum number of extruded shapes.

Another object is to provide interior partition structure or the likeincluding a plurality of vertically extending horizontally spaced apartposts, parallel vertical- 1y spaced apart horizontal members extendingbetween the posts and means operable between the horizontal members andposts for securing the horizontal members to the posts non-destructivelyat any selected position vertically thereof.

Another object is to provide interior partition structure as set forthabove and further including single means for securing panels of anydesired width between the posts and horizontal members.

Another object is to provide interior partition structure as set forthabove and further including means for adjusting the vertical height ofthe posts.

Another object is to provide partition structure which is simple inconstruction, economical to manufacture and efficient in use.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent as thedescription proceeds, especially when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, illustrating a preferred embodiment of theinvention wherein:

FIGURE 1 is an elevation view of partition structure constructed inaccordance with the invention.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged exploded view of a post and members attachedthereto of the'partition structure illustrated in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged cross section of a portion of the partitionstructure illustrated in FIGURE 1 taken substantially on the line 33 inFIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged, partly broken away, partial cross section ofthe partition structure illustrated in FIG- URE 1 taken substantially onthe line 44 in FIG- URE 1.

FIGURE 5 is a partial section view of the portion of the partitionstructure illustrated in FIGURE 4 taken substantially on the line 5'5 inFIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged cross section of a portion of the partitionstructure illustrated in FIGURE 1 taken substantially on the line 6-6 inFIGURE 1.

FIGURE 7 is a section view of a portion of the partition structureillustrated in FIGURE 6 taken substantially on the line 77 in FIGURE 6.

With particular reference to the figures of the drawing, one embodimentof the present invention will now be considered in detail.

The partition structure 10 illustrated in FIGURE 1 includes thevertically extending, parallel, horizontally spaced apart posts 12 andthe parallel, vertically spaced apart horizontal members 14 which aresecured to the posts 12 at their ends by joint brackets 16 shown best inFIGURES 4 and 5. Panels constructed of material such as sheet rock 18 orglass 20 are secured between the posts 12 and horizontal members 14 bymeans of glazing channels 22 illustrated best in FIGURES 2 and 3.Closure strips 24 are provided for closing the sides of the posts andhorizontal members in which panels are not received while caps 26 serveto close the tops of the posts 12. Structure 28 is provided forvertically adjusting the height of posts 12.

More specifically the posts 12 and horizontal members 14 are aluminumextrusions having the same cross section which is illustrated best inFIGURE 3. As shown in FIGURE 3 the cross section of the posts andhorizontal members includes an H-shaped core part 28 having the crossbar portion 30 and parallel portions 32 and 34- connected centrally tothe cross bar. Diagonally extending parts 36 and 38, 40 and 42 extentoutwardly from the ends of the parallel portions 32 and 34 as shown. Thediagonally extendin parts 36, 38, 40 and 42 terminate in inwardlyopening generally V-shaped parts 44, 46, 48 and St the outer ends of theperpendicular legs of which are bent inwardly at substantially ninetydegrees. The V-shaped parts 44, 46, 48 and 50 define a square crosssection periphery.

The cross-bar 30 of the H-shaped part 28 of the horizontally extendingmembers 14 is cut back at the ends thereof as shown best in FIGURES 4and 5 to facilitate assembly of the horizontal members 14 with the posts12 by means of the joint brackets 16 as will be considered subsequently.

As shown best in FIGURES 4 and 5 the joint brackets 16 are cast aluminumand are generally U-shaped in elevation having diverging legs 56 and 52.The end 54 of the joint bracket 16 is bifurcated as shown best in FIGURE4 to receive the cross bar 30 of the H-shaped part 28 of the crosssection of the horizontal member 14. A bolt extending through the end 54of the joint bracket 16 and the cross bar 30 of the cross section of thehorizontal member 14 secures the horizontal member and the joint brackettogether.

In plan view as shown in FIGURE 4 the legs 50 and 52 of the jointbracket include a V-shaped notch 56 in the end 58 thereof forming legportions 60 and 62 terminating in the oppositely extending fianges 64and 66, respectively. The V-shaped notch 56 terminates in a U-shapedapex 68 which is off center of the joint bracket 16. The screw 70extending through the U-shaped apex portion 68 of the V-shaped notches56 spreads the leg portions 60 and 62 of the end 58 of the joint bracket16 into engagement with the V-shaped parts 44 and 46 of the post 12whereby the joint bracket 16 is rigidly secured to the post 12 in anyselected vertical position along the post 12.

Thus it will be seen that the horizontal members 14 and posts 12 may berigidly connected together at right angles to each other with thehorizontal members 14 in any selected vertical position along posts 12without any damage to the posts 12 or horizontal members 14. The postsand horizontal members may therefore be reused in other installationsafter being dismantled. Non-destructive erection of the partitionstructure 10 is thus accomplished through use of the particularextrusion shape for the posts 12 and horizontal members 14 together withthe particular joint bracket 16 provided in accordance with theinvention.

The glazing channel 22 as best shown in FIGURES 2 and 3 includes a pairof outwardly opening V-shaped portions 72 and 74 connected together bythe connecting portion 76 extending between the apex of the V-shapedportions as shown in FIGURE 3. The legs 78 and 80 of the V-shapedportions 72 and 74 extend along the diagonal parts 36 and 42 of thecross section of the post 12, as shown in FIGURE 3, while the legs 82and 84 extend toward each other outwardly of the post 12. Legs 82 and 84terminate in portions 86 and 88 extending in opposite directions withrespect to each other toward the V-shaped parts of the cross section ofthe post 12, again as shown in FIGURE 3.

The glazing channel 22 is constructed of polyvinyl chloride or similarsemi-rigid resilient plastic and is constructed so that with panels ofditferent width the end portions 86 and 88 of the legs 82 and S4 of theV-shaped portions 72 and 74 will extend outwardly over the V- shapedparts 44 and 50 of the cross section of the post 12 as shown in FIGURE 3to accommodate the larger panels. Panels of different widths may thus beinstalled using a single glazing channel.

A glazing channel 22 may be used on any of the four sides of a post 12or a horizontal member 14 to which it is desired to secure a panel suchas the sheet rock 18 and glass 20. On the sides of the post 12 andhorizontal members 14 to which it is not desired to secure a panel, theclosure strips 24 are provided extending between the adjacent V-shapedparts of the cross section of the posts and horizontal members.

The closure strips 24 may also be of polyvinyl chloride and ofsubstantially any desired color. The strips 24 as shown best in FIGURES2, 3 and 6 are generally U-shaped and include recessed parallel sides 90forming locking abutments 91 and 92 which cooperate with the adjacentV-shaped parts of the cross section of the posts and horizontal membersto secure the strips to the posts and horizontal members.

The H-shaped part 28 of the post 12 and horizontal members 14 may beprovided with knock-outs 98 as illustrated in FIGURE 2 where desired topermit passing of electrical wiring or the like through the posts 12 andhorizontal members 14. The electrical wiring may be contained within theportion of the posts and horizontal members defined by the H-shaped partof the cross section or may be placed in the space between the V-shapedparts of the posts and horizontal members enclosed by the strips 24 orboth.

The structure 28 for adjusting the vertical height of the posts 12 isbest shown in FIGURES 6 and 7. The structure 28 includes the adjustingblocks 100 and 102 having locking ears 104 and 106 thereon and fittinggenerally within the H-shaped part of the cross section of the lower endof posts 12. The upper ends 108 and 110 of the adjusting blocks 100 and102 are bifurcated to receive the cross bar portion 30 of the H-shapedpart 28 of the cross section of the posts 12 which is cut back from theend of the post as shown in FIGURE 7. Internally the adjusting blocks102 and 104 are shaped as shown in FIGURE 7 to receive the hexagonal nut112 therebetween and to permit movement of the bolt 114 through the nut112.

The vertical height of the posts 12 is thus adjusted by screwing thebolts 114 into and out of the nut 112. The posts 12 are secured in apredetermined position on a floor or the like by means of the fioorbracket 116 illustrated best in FIGURES 6 and 7 having the uprightportions 118 and 120 in engagement with the parallel portions 32 and 34of the H-shaped part of the cross section of the posts 12 and having thehorizontal portion 116 secured in position on the floor by means of thebolts 122 extending therethrough.

The cap 26 which may be used to close the top of the posts 12 if desiredis a cast aluminum member having an upper generally pyramidal portion101 and a lower generally rectangular flange 99 dimensioned to exactly.fit around the exterior of the square defined by the cross section ofthe posts 12. A connecting bracket 103 cooperable with a slot 105 in theupper end of the posts 12 as shown best in FIGURE 2 is provided to lockthe cap 26 on the post 12 if desired.

Thus in overall assembly a plurality of posts 12 are positioned invertical, parallel, spaced apart relation and secured to a floor or thelike by means of the floor brackets 116 with their height verticallyadjusted by the height adjusting structure 28. Lower horizontal members14 may then be secured to adjacent posts by means of the joint brackets16 at any vertical position therealong. A panel such as the sheet rock18 or glass 20 may then be positioned in glazing channels 22 positionedin the posts 12 and horizontal members 14 as shown best in FIGURE 3. Atop horizontal member 14 may then be connected between the verticalposts and by the joint brackets 16 at a desired height to complete asingle section of a partition.

The open sides of the posts 12 and horizontal members 14 to which it isnot desired to secure additional panels or other partition sections maybe closed by means of the closure strips 24. The top of the posts 12 maybe closed by the caps 26 if desired. A reverse procedure may be followedin dismantling the partition structure 10.

Thus it will be seen that the partition structure 10 requires a minimumof parts which may be pre-manufactured to exact lengths at a factoryprior to assembly. The premanufactured parts may be non-destructivelyerected as desired and dismantled for complete reuse. Also, it will benoted that the partition structure 10 as disclosed is particularlyversatile in, for example the positioning of electrical outlets since itis possible to run electrical wires through the posts 12 and horizontalmembers 14.

While One embodiment of the partition structure of the invention hasbeen considered in detail, it will be understood that other embodimentsand modifications thereof are contemplated. It is envisioned that thepartition structure disclosed may be used for exterior partitions aswell as interior partitions, in low priced housing developments and inmobile homes and the like. It is the intention to include allembodiments and modifications as are defined by the appended claimsWithin the scope of the invention.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A joint bracket for use in connecting extrusions or the like at rightangles to each other comprising a member generally U-shaped in elevationhaving diverging leg portions and a bifurcated closed end, said memberfurther having a generally V-shaped notch in the other end thereofforming the leg portions terminating in oppositely outwardly extendingflange portions, the apex of the V-shaped notch being U-shaped andoffset from the center of the joint bracket.

2. Partition structure comprising a plurality of vertically extending,parallel, spaced apart posts, and parallel vertically spaced aparthorizontal members extending between the posts, which posts andhorizontal members have a cross section including an H-shaped parthaving parallel portions, diagonal parts extending outwardly from theends of the parallel portions of the H-shaped part terminating ininwardly opening V-shaped parts in spaced relation defining a square andpositioned at the corners thereof, means operable between saidhorizontal members and posts for nondestructively securing the ends ofthe horizontal members to the posts at any selected height including ajoint bracket having a generally U- shaped elevation with diverging legsand a vertically bifurcated end adapted to pass on both sides of thecrossbar of the I-I-shaped part of the cross section of a horizontalmember, each of the legs of the bracket having a recess in the endsthereof which is V-shaped in plan view providing leg portionsterminating in outwardly extending flanges adapted to hook behind thelegs of adjacent V-shaped parts of a post cross section, and meansoperably associated with the posts and horizontal members securingpanels between the posts and horizontal members.

3. Structure as set forth in clahn 2 wherein the apex of the V-shapedrecess is positioned off center of the bracket.

4. Partition structure comprising a plurality of vertically extending,parallel, spaced apart posts, and parallel vertically spaced aparthorizontal members extending between the posts, which posts andhorizontal members have a cross section including an H-shaped parthaving parallel portions, diagonal parts extending outwardly from theends of the parallel portions of the H-shaped part terminating ininwardly opening V-shaped parts in spaced relation defining a square andpositioned at the corners thereof, means operable between saidhorizontal members and post for non-destructively securing the ends ofthe horizontal members to the posts at any selected height, and glazingchannels inserted within the cross section of the posts and horizontalmembers for securing panels between adjacent V-shaped parts of the crosssection of the posts and horizontal members which glazing channelsinclude a pair of V-shaped portions positioned within the cross sectionof a post or horizontal member each having one leg extending adjacent adiagonally extending part of the cross section and terminating at aV-shaped part of the cross section, a connecting portion between theapexes of the V-shaped portions of the glazing channel adjacent theH-shaped part of the cross section, the other legs of the V-shapedportions of the glazing channels extending outwardly to the edge of thesquare defined by the -shaped posts or horizontal member terminating inportions extending toward the adjacent V-shaped parts of the crosssection in opposite directions.

5. Partition structure comprising a plurality of vertically extending,parallel, spaced apart posts, and parallel vertically spaced aparthorizontal members extending between the posts, which posts andhorizontal members have a cross section including an H-shaped parthaving parallel portions, diagonal parts extending outwardly from theends of the parallel portions of the H-shaped part terminating ininwardly opening V-shaped parts in spaced relation defining a square andpositioned at the corners thereof, means operable between saidhorizontal members and posts for non-destructively securing the ends ofthe horizontal members to the posts at any selected height, meansoperably associated with the posts and horizontal members securingpanels between the posts and horizontal members and means operablyassociated with the posts for adjusting the height of the posts eachincluding a post adjusting block split centrally and having a bifurcatedend for receiving the cross-bar of the H-shaped part of the post crosssection and having projections at the other end thereof insurface-to-surface engagement with the diagonally extending parts of thecross section of the posts, a recess within the post adjusting blocksfor receiving a bolt adjacent the bottom thereof and a bolt extendingthrough a nut from the bottom of the post and post adjusting blocks.

6. Partition structure comprising a plurality of vertically extending,parallel, spaced apart posts, and parallel vertically spaced aparthorizontal members extending between the posts, which posts andhorizontal members have a cross section including an H-shaped parthaving parallel portions, diagonal parts extending outwardly from theends of the parallel portions of the H-shaped part terminating ininwardly opening V-shaped parts in spaced relation defining a square andpositioned at the corners thereof, means operable between saidhorizontal members and posts for non-destructively securing the ends ofthe horizontal members to the posts at any selected height including ajoint bracket having a generally U-shaped elevation with diverging legsand a vertically bifurcated end adapted to pass on both sides of thecross-bar of the H-shaped part of the cross section of a horizontalmember, each of the legs of the bracket having a recess in the endthereof which is V-shaped in plan view providing leg portionsterminating in outwardly extending flanges adapted to hook behind thelegs of adjacent V-shaped parts of a post cross section, means operablyassociated with the posts and horizontal members securing panels betweenthe posts and horizontal members, and glazing channels inserted withinthe cross section of the posts and horizontal members for securingpanels between adjacent V-shaped parts of the cross section of thepost-s and horizontal members, each of which include a pair of V-shapedportions positioned within the cross section of a post or horizontalmember each having one leg extending adjacent a diagonally extendingpart of the cross section and terminating at a V-shaped part of thecross section, a connecting portion between the apexes of the V-shapedportions of the glazing channel adjacent the H-shaped part of the crosssection, the other legs of the V-shaped portions of the glazing channelsextending outwardly to the edge of the square defined by the V-shapedposts or horizontal member terminating in portions extending toward theadjacent -shaped parts of the cross section in opposite directions.

7. Partition structure comprising a plurality of vertically extending,parallel, spaced apart posts, and parallel vertically spaced aparthorizontal members extending between the posts, which posts andhorizontal members have a cross section including an H-shaped parthaving parallel portions, diagonal parts extending outwardly from theends of the parallel portions of the H-shaped part terminating ininwardly opening V-shaped parts in spaced relation defining a square andpositioned at the corners thereof, means operable between saidhorizontal members and posts for non-destructively securing the ends ofthe horizontal members to the posts at any selected height including ajoint bracket having a generally U-shaped elevation with diverging legsand a vertically bifurcated end adapted to pass on both sides of thecross-bar of the H-shaped part of the cross section of a horizontalmember, each of the legs of the bracket having a recess in the endthereof which is V-shaped in plan view providing leg portionsterminating in outwardly extending flanges adapted to hook behind thelegs of adjacent V-shaped parts of a post cross section, means operablyassociated with the posts and horizontal members securing panels betweenthe posts and horizontal members, and means operably associated with theposts for adjusting the height of the posts each including apost-adjusting block split centrally and having a bifurcated end forreceiving the cross-bar of the Hshaped part of the post cross sectionand having projections at the other end thereof in surface-to-surfaceengagement with the diagonally extending parts of the cross section ofthe posts, a recess within the post adjusting blocks for receiving abolt adjacent the bottom thereof and a bolt extending through a nut fromthe bottom of the post and post adjusting blocks.

8. Partition structure comprising a plurality of vertically extending,parallel, spaced apart posts, and parallel vertically spaced aparthorizontal members extending between the posts, which posts andhorizontal members have a cross section including an H-shaped parthaving parallel portions, diagonal parts extending outwardly from theends of the parallel portions of the H-shaped part terminating ininwardly opening V-shaped parts in spaced relation defining a square andpositioned at the corners thereof, means operable between saidhorizontal members and posts 'for non-destructively securing the ends ofthe horizontal members to the posts at any selected height, glazingchannel-s inserted within the cross section of the posts and horizontalmembers for securing panels between adjacent V-shaped parts of the crosssection of the posts and horizontal members which glazing channelsinclude a pair of V-shaped portions positioned within the cross sectionof a post or horizontal member each having one leg extending adjacent adiagonally extending part of the cross section and terminating at aV-shaped part of the cross section, a connecting portion between theapexes of the V-shaped portions of the glazing channel adjacent theH-shaped part of the cross section, the other legs of the V-shapedportions of the glazing channels extending outwardly to the edge of thesquare defined by the V-shaped posts or horizontal member terminating inportions extending toward the adjacent V-shaped parts of the crosssection in opposite directions, and means operably associated with theposts for adjusting the height of the posts each including a postadjusting block split centrally and having a bifurcated end forreceiving the cross-bar of the H-shaped part of the post cross sectionand having projections at the other end thereof in surface-to-surfaceengagement with the diagonally extending parts of the cross section ofthe posts, a recess within the post adjusting blocks for receiving abolt adjacent the bottom thereof and a bolt extending through a nut fromthe bottom of the post and post adjusting blocks.

9. Partition structure comprising a plurality of vertically extending,parallel, spaced apart posts, and parallel vertically spaced aparthorizontal members extending between the posts, which posts andhorizontal members have a cross section including an H-shaped parthaving parallel portions, diagonal parts extending outwardly from theends of the parallel portions of the H-shaped part terminating ininwardly opening V-shaped parts in spaced relation defining a square andpositioned at the corners thereof, means operable between saidhorizontal members and posts for non-destructively securing the ends ofthe horizontal members to the posts at any selected height including ajoint bracket having a generally U-shaped elevation with diverging legsand a vertically bifurcated end adapted to pass on both sides of thecross-bar of the H- shaped part of the cross section of a horizontalmember, each of the legs of the bracket having a recess in the endthereof which is V-shaped in plan view providing leg portionsterminating in outwardly extending flanges adapted to hook behind thelegs of adjacent V-shaped parts of a post cross section, glazingchannels inserted within the cross section of the posts and horizontalmembers for securing panels between adjacent V-shaped parts of the crosssection of the posts and horizontal members which glazing channelsinclude a pair of V-shaped portions positioned within the cross sectionof a post or horizontal member each having one leg extending adjacent adiagonally extending part of the cross section and terminatingat a V-shaped part of the cross section, a connecting portion between theapexes of the V-shaped portions of the glazing channel adjacent theH-shaped part of the cross section, the

other legs of the V-shaped portions of the glazing channels extendingoutwardly to the edge of the square defined by the V-shaped posts orhorizontal member terminating in portions extending toward the adjacentV-shaped parts of the cross section in opposite directions, and meansoperably associated with the posts for adjusting the height of the postseach including a post adjusting block split centrally and having abifurcated end for receiving the crossbar of the H-shaped part of thepost cross section and having projections at the other end thereof insurface-to-surface engagement with the diagonally extending parts of thecross section of the posts, a recess within the post adjusting blocksfor receiving a bolt adjacent the bottom thereof and a bolt extendingthrough a nut from the bottom of the post and post adjusting blocks.

10. Partition structure comprising a plurality of vertically extending,parallel, spaced apart posts, and parallel vertically spaced aparthorizontal members extending between the posts, which posts andhorizontal members have a cross section including an H-shaped parthaving parallel portions, diagonal parts extending outwardly from theends of the parallel portions of the H-shapcd part terminating ininwardly opening V-shaped parts in spaced relation defining a square andpositioned at the corners thereof, means for non-destructively securingthe ends of the horizontal members to the posts at any selected heightincluding a bracket having a bifurcated end for receiving the centerportion of the H-shaped part of a horizontal member cross sectiontherebetween and a V-shaped other end including end portions engagedwith the legs of adjacent V-shaped parts of a post cross section andmeans operably associated with the posts and horizontal members securingpanels between the posts and horizontal members.

11. Partition structure comprising a plurality of vertically extending,parallel, spaced apart posts, and parallel vertically spaced aparthorizontal members extending between the posts, which posts andhorizontal members have a cross section including an H-shaped parthaving parallel portions, diagonal parts extending outwardly from theends of the parallel portions of the H-shaped part terminating ininwardly opening V-shaped parts in spaced relation defining a square andpositioned at the corners thereof, means operable between saidhorizontal members and posts for non-destructively securing the ends ofthe horizontal members to the posts at any selected height, and glazingchannels inserted within the cross section of the posts and horizontalmembers for securing panels between adjacent V-shaped parts of the crosssection of the posts and horizontal members having a cross sectionincluding a U-shaped part having converging free ends inserted withinthe cross section of the posts and horizontal members between adjacentV-shaped parts of the cross section of the posts and horizontal memberswith converging leg portions terminating in flange portions extendingaway from each other toward the outer edge of the V-shaped parts of thecross section of the posts and horizontal members and portions securedto the U-shaped part of the glazing channels for securing the glazingchannels within the cross section of the posts and horizontal members.

12. Partition structure comprising a plurality of vertically extending,parallel, spaced apart posts, and parallel vertically spaced aparthorizontal members extending between the posts, which posts andhorizontal members have a cross section including an H-shaped parthaving parallel portions, diagonal parts extending outwardly from theends of the parallel portions of the H-shaped part terminating ininwardly opening V-shaped parts in spaced relation defining a square andpositioned at the corners thereof, means for non-destructively securingthe ends of the horizontal members to the posts at any selected heightincluding a bracket having a bifurcated end for receiving the centerportion of the H-shaped part of a horizontal member cross sectiontherebetween and a V-shapcd other end including end portions engagedwith the legs of adjacent V-shaped parts of a post cross section, andmeans operably associated with the posts and horizontal members securingpanels between the posts and horizontal members, and glazing channelsinserted within the cross section of the posts and horizontal membersfor securing panels between adjacent V-shaped parts of the cross sectionof the posts and horizontal members having a cross section including aU-shaped part having converging free ends inserted within the crosssection of the posts and horizontal members between adjacent V-shapedparts or" 10 the cross section of the posts and horizontal members withconverging leg portions terminating in flange portions extending awayfrom each other toward the outer edge of the V-shaped parts of the crosssection of the References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,949,984 8/1960Daniels 52-422 3,265,416 8/1966 Downes 52238 FOREIGN PATENTS 931,6677/1963 Great Britain.

JOHN E. MURTAGH, Plilnal') Examiner.

